Juan Manuel Marquez vs. Sergey Fedchenko: Keys to Up-and-Comer Pulling off Upset

Juan Manuel Marquez faces Sergey Fedchenko in what could quickly and easily wind up being a trap fight. Most expect Fedchenko to be little more than a tuneup for Marquez. 

This thinking is that the experienced champ will face little resistance, retain his title in front of his hometown fans and move on to a much more high-profile fight. Marquez has a huge edge in stamina and experience. 

However, Fedchenko has talent, and he's 30-1 with 13 KOs. He is a bit raw, but if he can force Marquez into fighting his style of fighting, he will win. Here's what he needs to do. 

Keep Moving

Fedchenko has serious stamina issues. This has been on vivid display in his last few fights. Once he starts taking a little punishment, his legs just seem to go. 

As a polar opposite, Marquez never runs out of energy. He just seems to get stronger as the fight goes on. 

On the surface, moving as much as possible would seem to be the wrong tactic for someone with stamina issues. However, Fedchenko's issues seem to arise after he gets smacked around a bit. 

He cannot provide a stationary target. Otherwise, Marquez will pound him into a tired, defeated mass. 

Go for the Head

Fedchenko is not a good body puncher. He doesn't have the form for it. He throws his best punches from the most awkward of positions. 

He likes to fight straight up and go for combos to the head. He needs to focus on his strength here and just keep those punches going to the head.

Fedchenko is not going to win if this one goes the distance. Marquez is too skilled a fighter, and he enjoys the stamina advantage we spoke of earlier. Fedchenko must get the knockout, and the best way to do that is with a big shot to the head. 

Pump Up the Volume

Fedchenko is notorious for throwing a low-volume amount of punches. This isn't part of a strategy to draw his opponents in, it is just his style. 

He needs to tweak that style, or Marquez might throw a punch seconds after the opening bell and stop throwing them until sometime next week. 

Marquez has always been a high-volume fighter, and he will completely absorb and defeat Fedchenko if the challenger doesn't try to get in more work.